Tunisia hunts former president
Source: Agencies |
January 27, 2011, Thursday
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TUNISIA has issued an international arrest warrant for ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, saying he took money out of the North African nation illegally.
Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia after being driven from power this month by violent protests, is also charged with illegally acquiring real estate and other assets abroad, Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said yesterday.
Tunisia is also seeking the arrest of Ben Ali's wife, Leila, as well as other family members. French media have reported that Leila left the country with millions in gold bullion.
Ben Ali, his wife and their clan have been widely accused of abusing their power to enrich themselves. In France, where family members are believed to have assets ranging from apartments to racehorses, the Paris prosecutors' office has opened a preliminary investigation into their holdings.
The former president fled on January 14 after 23 years in power, pushed out by weeks of protests driven by anger over joblessness, repression and corruption. His swift departure was followed by riots, looting and unrest.
Yesterday, the justice minister released figures that highlighted the massive scope of that unrest. Some 11,029 prisoners - about a third of the country's prison population - were able to escape amid the chaos, he said.
Of those, 1,532 prisoners are back behind bars, he said. Another 74 prisoners died in fires at several prisons.
Chebbi spoke to reporters as police fired tear gas at protesters who have been pressuring the interim government to get rid of ministers who served under Ben Ali.
The clashes broke out in front of the prime minister's office in Tunis. Some demonstrators responded by throwing stones at police.
Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia after being driven from power this month by violent protests, is also charged with illegally acquiring real estate and other assets abroad, Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said yesterday.
Tunisia is also seeking the arrest of Ben Ali's wife, Leila, as well as other family members. French media have reported that Leila left the country with millions in gold bullion.
Ben Ali, his wife and their clan have been widely accused of abusing their power to enrich themselves. In France, where family members are believed to have assets ranging from apartments to racehorses, the Paris prosecutors' office has opened a preliminary investigation into their holdings.
The former president fled on January 14 after 23 years in power, pushed out by weeks of protests driven by anger over joblessness, repression and corruption. His swift departure was followed by riots, looting and unrest.
Yesterday, the justice minister released figures that highlighted the massive scope of that unrest. Some 11,029 prisoners - about a third of the country's prison population - were able to escape amid the chaos, he said.
Of those, 1,532 prisoners are back behind bars, he said. Another 74 prisoners died in fires at several prisons.
Chebbi spoke to reporters as police fired tear gas at protesters who have been pressuring the interim government to get rid of ministers who served under Ben Ali.
The clashes broke out in front of the prime minister's office in Tunis. Some demonstrators responded by throwing stones at police.
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